Friday, 24 October 2014

US President 'thoughts and prayers with Ebola patient'

President Barack Obama has spoken with the New York Governor and
New York Mayor following news that a doctor has become the first patient
in the city to test positive for Ebola.

The President said his "thoughts and prayers" are with the patient
and asked to be kept up to date on the case, the White House said.

According to British television station, ITV, Obama also offered extra support to the city should it be needed "to
provide the highest standard of patient care, maintain the strictest
safety protocols for healthcare workers, and to identify and, as
necessary, monitor any contacts of the patient potentially at risk of
exposure."

The White House said the president noted the extensive preparations
New York City and Bellevue Hospital, where the patient is being treated,
had made to prepare for cases of the virus.

They also discussed the deployment of officials from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, who will be deploying further teams in
the city.